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102nd Nebraska Legislature adjourns sine die
today
LINCOLN—The first session of the 102nd Legislature adjourned
sine die. Major issues debated were collective
bargaining and the Commission on Industrial Relations (CIR), redistricting, balancing the budget—which
when adopted will include a 2.5 percent reduction in Medicaid
provider rates, reductions in spending for durable medical equipment and less
money for nursing
facility leave days. The 2011-13 budget also includes increased co-pays and a plan to expand Medicaid to
a statewide managed care system in 2012.
Additional notable legislative proposals signed into law that will affect
Nebraska's hospitals' ability to deliver care include:
-
LB
68 (Fulton): Adds "certified nurse midwives" to the list of professions
allowed to have clinical privileges. Effective September 9, 2011.
-
LB 73 (Pahls): This law amended
"administrator" and "insurer" provisions of the Comprehensive Health
Insurance Pool (CHIP). Signed into law with emergency clause and effective
May 18, 2011.
-
LB 152 (Lathrop): Lowers reimbursements for inpatient trauma services
under the Nebraska Workers' Compensation Act. Effective January 1, 2012.
-
LB 237 (Howard): Creates a prescription drug monitoring program. Effective
September 9, 2011.
-
LB 274 (Gloor): Changes provisions for the return of dispensed drugs and
devices. Effective September 9, 2011.
-
LB 431 (Hadley): Expands peer review work product protections. Signed
into law with emergency clause and effective April 27, 2011.
-
LB 465 (Campbell): Eliminates "state-only" programs for legal permanent
residents. Effective September 9, 2011.
-
LB 479 (Lathrop): Authorizes a person eighteen years of age to give consent to evidence collection and examination and treatment in cases of sexual assault and domestic violence.
Effective September 9, 2011.
-
LB 542 (Howard): Requires hospitals to
offer influenza vaccinations to employees. Effective September 9, 2011.
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LB 600 (Campbell): Creates the Nursing
Facility Quality Assurance Assessment Act. Signed into law with emergency
clause and effective April 27, 2011.
—
Bruce Rieker, JD, Vice President, Advocacy, Nebraska Hospital Association,
May 27, 2011
Urge your Legislators to protect funding for hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid
LINCOLN—Hospitals are already doing more with less. There are other ways to reduce the deficit—don’t hurt patient care.
The Nebraska Hospital Association has joined the "Enough is Enough" campaign to oppose any further reductions to hospital care. Hospitals are already absorbing $155 billion in payment reductions, and Medicare and Medicaid pay hospitals less than the cost of providing care.
Hospital advocates have been fully engaged in this debate in Washington. Even though the discussions in Congress and with the White House are at an early stage, we can't wait. Therefore, we oppose any further reductions in payment for hospital services under Medicare and Medicaid for the following reasons:
- The field is already absorbing $155 billion in reductions as part of the ACA, as well as state Medicaid cuts.
- Federal programs already underpay hospitals.
- Arbitrary triggers are not the answer.
- Protect the safety net.
- Other Medicare alternatives also exist.
Contact your
legislator now.
Learn more online.
—
NHA Newslink, May 25, 2011
WASHINGTON—A group of Republican lawmakers has asked appropriators to avoid making deep cuts to the budget of the National Institutes of Health
(NIH).
The request that NIH be spared highlights the difficult choices facing the GOP
as it moves from writing a budget to wringing out cuts from 13 different
appropriations measures.
READ MORE»
—
The Hill, May 27, 2011
WASHINGTON—After their surprising victory in
the race for a vacant House seat, Democrats forced Senate Republicans on
Wednesday to vote yes or no on a bill that would reshape Medicare, signaling
their intent to use the issue as a blunt instrument against Republicans through
the 2012 election.
READ MORE»
—
New York Times, May 24, 2011
For more information about
health-related legislative bills or resolutions, contact: Bruce Rieker, Vice
President, Advocacy, at (402) 742-8146 or
brieker@nhanet.org or Nick Faustman, Health Policy Research & Advocacy Specialist, at (402) 742-8155 or
nfaustman@nhanet.org
NHA Rotunda Review is published by the Nebraska
Hospital Association, 3255 Salt Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504. Phone (402)
742-8140, Fax (402) 742-8191. Visit our Web site at
www.nhanet.orgg. Kelley Porter, editor, at (402) 742-8151, or email,
kporter@nhanet.org.
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